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Vicious Cycle #1

Vicious Cycle

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New York Times bestselling author Katie Ashley revs up the danger and sexual tension in her brand-new Vicious Cycle romance series.

Deacon Malloy’s life is dedicated to the Hell’s Raiders motorcycle club. Tough, hard, and fast with his fists, he serves the group as sergeant at arms. But his devil-may-care approach to life is thrown for a loop when the five-year-old daughter he never knew existed lands on the club steps.

Alexandra Evans is devoted to all her students—but there’s always been something about Willow Malloy that tugs at her heart. There’s an aura of sadness about her, a girl in need of all the love Alexandra can give. When Willow stops coming to school, Alexandra’s search leads to a clubhouse full of bikers…and a father hell-bent on keeping his daughter always within sight.

The moment Deacon sees Alexandra, he has to have her in his bed—and he’s never met a woman yet who couldn’t be persuaded. No matter how attracted she is to Deacon, Alexandra refuses to be just another conquest. But it’s Deacon himself who could be seduced—into a brighter future for himself, his daughter, and the woman he’s falling for against all odds.

387 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

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About the author

Katie Ashley

57 books8,918 followers
Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Top Three Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She's written rockers, bikers, manwhores with hearts of gold, New Adult, and Young Adult. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, her rescue mutts, Belle and Elsa, and her two cats, Mama Kitty and Luna. She has a slight obsession with The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.

With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she became a full-time writer.

Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers. Most days, you can find her being a hermit, styling leggings, and binging on Netflix whenever her toddler daughter isn't monopolizing the TV with Paw Patrol or Frozen.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 856 reviews
Profile Image for Giorgia Reads.
1,317 reviews2,056 followers
July 12, 2020
2.5 stars

I don’t even know what to say about this one. It was a mixture of everything, and that’s not a compliment. We got so many tropes and so little exploration of them and that made this book feel very surface level.

The problem in this kind of situation isn’t that the book wasn’t very deep or angsty (cause there’s plenty of good reads that fit that description) but that it tried to be and failed. You’re either gonna make it dark or pretend it’s dark. You’re either going to make a character soft, smart and kind or a badass bitch with a murderous streak. I mean sure, you can show both, but help the character get there! And not in a matter of days?!??

Basically showing character growth is a foreign concept in this book while preposterous action and plot lines are run of the mill.

It’s one of those I’m gonna forget I read very soon.

The biggest problem is that it made it very hard to connect with the lead characters, mostly because they were very ... unpredictable?! It’s like you’re describing someone a certain way but then they keep doing/saying things that don’t fit.

Also, the plot was ridiculous in the end. I mean... OTT much? VERY MUCH!
Profile Image for Sleepless Readmore.
163 reviews306 followers
June 12, 2015
Smooth out your skirt and do not look at him.
description
4.5 I'm a motorcycle virgin STARS

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Deacon and Alexandra .. ♥
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I was a father.
And even it fucking killed me,
I was going to be the best damn one I could.
No one was ever going to hurt Willow on my watch.


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Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you gonna drop the bomb or not? ..►♫


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I ain't never had to work for a woman.
Maybe you never had one worth working for.


I've been looking foward to reading this! I am a fan of Katie Ashley and have enjoyed several of her novels. It had the complete MC vibe going for it which made it quite enjoyable. I didn't absolutely love it however it had potential and I am not opposed to continue on reading more novels in this series (COUGH .. THE MALLOY BROTHERS THOUGH). This novel could have been given 5 stars however at points I was either disappointed or extremely confused. An example would be: Deacon and Willow's relationship .. in the beginning I was like OH MY this is so beautiful my heart is overloading with the feels. Then throughout there were points I'd be thinking well that was sorta cute. .. then other times thinking SERIOUSLY how does he do all this for his girl but not his little girl?! Another thing that made me squint my eyes and re-read was Alexandra. *SPOILER CAUTION* When Deacon's supposed death .. she moves on quite fast! BOOM she's in bed with his brother (WHO I ABSOLUTELY ADORE) the same brother who hasn't made his feelings clear in so many words (OR ANY AT ALL) but Deacon has TOLD HER ABOUT. Now why do you have to mess with his feelings like that .. #NotCoolBro! Regardless of these points it was WORTH the read and I would gladly recommend!

You're my salvation.
And you're mine.


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Let us die young or let us live forever
We don't have the power but we never say never ..►♫


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So which one of you Malloy boys is going to take me
for a ride on his motorcycle? 'Cause, you know,
I'm a motorcycle virgin.


Vicious Cycle Katie Ashley
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Vicious Cycle (Vicious Cycle, #1) by Katie Ashley
July 8, 2021
I enjoyed Vicious Cycle. At times it could be a tad cheesy, but for the most part I really liked it. I think I loved Rev a bit more than Deacon and will for sure be reading Rev's book. I was really sad about Case and Kim. Willow was adorable. There are some darkish parts to this book but I wouldn't label it a dark read. Deacon and Alex were good together and I liked that Alex wasn't scared to tell Deacon what she needed from him. decent world building and the bad guys were disgusting. Like make your skin crawl evil. Overall a pretty good MC book!
Profile Image for Jacqueline's Reads.
2,926 reviews1,507 followers
July 2, 2015
5 Deacon is my biker Stars

I haven’t read a Katie Ashley book in forever. I love Katie Ashley and I love MC books, so it’s like the best of both worlds. I am happy to say that Vicious Cycle met and exceeded my expectations.

I have found a new series to love.

Vicious Cycle is a standalone in the Vicious Cycle series. Each book will be catering towards a character in the Raider’s MC club (well at least the first two books are).

Vicious Cycle starts out with a BAM! I was hooked from page one and I knew … JUST KNEW… this would be a winner. Deacon is part of the Raider’s MC and he’s the sergeant of arms. He also learns he has a five year old daughter.

Can you see why I love this book so much?

Katie Ashley + MC + Single DAD = BOOM Happy times for me!

I was a father. And even if it… killed me. I was going to be the best… one I could. No one was ever going to hurt Willow on my watch.


Deacon doesn’t know the first thing in taking care of a child. He tries his best to be the best dad he can be, but he’s no hearts or flowers.

Willow is a bit traumatized. She didn’t come from the best home and now she hardly speaks. She clings to Deacon, but is still a little cautious around him. I love Willow. I found her character completely adorable and it made my heart melt. If you throw any cute little kid in a book, I’m going to just gobble the pages up.

After a few missed days of school, Willow’s teacher, Alexandra (Alex) starts to worry and decides to pay Deacon a visit.

You can see where this is going.

You can see where I’m smiling and yeah, it’s good.


Alex doesn’t know anything about the MC life. She’s a “white-bread”. She’s clean, pure and angelic. Deacon doesn’t want anything to do with her, but he finds her very attractive. Willow is super attached to her teacher and it makes it even harder for Deacon to not like Alex. I also loved reading the bond between Willow and Alex.

Alex and Deacon couldn’t be any more different, but they somehow fit perfectly!

You own me-mind, heart, body and soul


I felt the chemistry between Alex and Deacon. I thought the banter was good and I liked how abrasive Deacon was towards Alex. He is a biker after all. So of course, he’s not “nice” and he is kind of selfish, egotistical and really rude.

Say something

I don’t know what to say.

That you can see past the blood on my hands to the real me.


I loved the secondary characters as well. We get glimpse of the biker brothers and Deacon’s actual brothers. A part of my heart belongs to Rev and he will be focused in book 2. I can’t wait for that one. I also enjoyed all the political aspects of the book. I liked reading about rival gangs and plans for revenge and who killed who and who will be killed by whom.

It’s really addictive.

Vicious Cycle is written really well. The book flowed and there was never a dull moment. I felt the tension between the two characters, but there wasn’t any real angst. I was entertained completely and it was an overall pleasurable read.

I am what I am, babe. You ain’t getting anything else

I’ll take you-just as you are


AN ARC was provided

Vicious Cycle (Vicious Cycle, #1) by Katie Ashley AMAZON
Profile Image for Cristina.
342 reviews330 followers
September 24, 2015
This book started pretty good and I was really happy because the biker bitch in me needed a good feast. But all went to hell almost half through the book.

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All was good in biker world until the big bad biker had to utter 3 little words that ruined everything...

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Don't get me wrong...I'm not AntiLove and I don't believe bikers are too cool to say those words but they where so inappropriate at that moment and they sounded so unbelievable that it ruined it for me.

And from then on things just got worse...I don't really know what happened but the story that I enjoyed so much in the beginning turned to mush and the one that remained was so full of clichés that it was hard to read and finish...

description

The big bad biker from the beginning turned 180 and became a little lamb and the sweet and nice teacher did the same and became a . I usually don't have a problem with this type of development but in this case it seamed so unnatural it was like two different people wrote this book...

All in all, if you're a biker bitch like me you could give it a try but if you're not a big fan on MC books then this one is definitely not for you...

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Profile Image for ~♡AB♡~.
974 reviews686 followers
June 29, 2015
★★ 2 Stars ★★

I will keep this short. This started off good, but unfortunately it went a bit downhill when the badass biker became too soft and the goody two shoes teacher became a badass.

It just didn't work for me. Also, I didn't think Deacon was a particularly good father, and I think this part of the storyline should have been bigger. He didn't really ever seem to fall in love with his daughter and that was a huge let down for me.

This is the first in a series of standalone novels, told in dual POV.

ARC gratefully received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Profile Image for Christy.
4,077 reviews34.5k followers
July 3, 2022
3 stars

I was in the mood for an MC book and Vicious Cycle started out strong. I liked the concept of this big bad biker having to change his ways when his 5 year old daughter he didn’t know about fell in his lap. The heroine in the daughter’s kindergarten teacher. I liked Alex and Deacon, but as the story went on it felt like they both changed fairly drastically (especially Alex). Sometimes that can work in a book depending on the catalyst for change and how the author develops their character, but in this book it felt unbelievable. The next book in this series is about Rev, the biker I was most curious about so I’ll definitely check it out!
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 3 stars
Narrators: Vanessa Edwin, Jay Crow & Jameson Adams
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Biker)
Length: 9h 54m

Profile Image for Anna's Herding Cats.
1,274 reviews311 followers
November 28, 2015
Unfortunately Vicious Cycle was not for me. The only way I can think to explain it is like watching a little girl playing dress up in her mother's clothes and high heels. All the bits are there but things just don't fit quite right. This one was trying to be a motorcycle club romance but it just couldn't quite figure out how to get there and ended up being a pretty flat rendition of one. The words might have been right, the set up right but it lacked the grit, depth and believable flavors of an MC.

I was actually doing okay with this one for the first little bit. It was no where near the levels of Sheehan or Joanna Wylde's MCs but none the less it was entertaining. But then slowly bit by bit it fell apart and kept getting more outlandish and unbelievable.

The club members were very much pussy whipped by the women in their lives. They tried to act tough--they threw around swears, postured, slept around--but one little pout from the women and the men would cave and apologize for thinking anything else. They just weren't believable as bad ass bikers that are involved in illegal trade despite a handful of violent scenes thrown in. And then at the end Yeah.

I did like the hero overall. He's a new-found daddy and struggles something fierce with that but he did come around and it was sweet and touching watching his love for his little girl develop. The little girl was adorable as well and I don't typically think authors do a good job of portraying children but Ashley did a great job in that regard. And at the start I thought I'd like the heroine but that very much started to change when she confessed her deep dark secret... Yeah. Lost all respect for her at this point. She also went from pretty sturdy/solid to manipulative, having wild mood swings and extreme reactions to things like him having to go to the strip club he co-owned to hire new dancers. Totally flew off the handle sobbing and breaking up with him because how could he?!! if he really loved her!

Some extreme plot devices towards the end that were supposed to bring huge emotional reactions were overdone and instead landed in the ridiculous category for me. Including how the villain was dispatched. And the heroine very much deballing the hero once again and him stepping in line with her decisions.

This is not one I'd recommend to lovers of motorcycle romances. I'd had high hopes and was really looking forward to this one but in the end it just flat out didn't work for me and I won't be continuing on with the series.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
3,577 reviews2,286 followers
June 9, 2015
2.5 meh Stars

Deacon gets the shock of his life when he's told that he has a daughter. Not knowing what to do or how to raise a little girl who has been through so much pain already, he distances himself from Willow and is protective of her from a distance, keeping her close to the club to keep her safe. When Willow doesn't show up at school for a week Alex, her teacher, gets worried and decides to check on her. She never expected to find a man like Deacon, though. Alex is instantly brought into their family since Willow is so attached to her and she helps Deacon figure out how to care for his little girl.



I don't really know what to say about this story. I couldn't get into the insta-love thing Deacon and Alex had going on because it was way too fast. It seemed like there wasn't an actual story to their love, it was just: they met, they fought the lust, then got together, then the "I love you's" came. I did like their connection when they were together, though and kept looking forward to more steamy scenes.



The whole ending seemed too unrealistic for me and I didn't like the change in Alex's character. She went from being the "white-bread" school teacher to some tough badass? It didn't work for me and I honestly ended up skimming towards the end. I couldn't connect to Deacon's character from the beginning and kept hoping that he would open up more, but when he finally did I still couldn't connect with him. It seemed like there were still missing parts about his past that I wanted to find out. He just didn't work for me unfortunately.

Overall, this was just an okay story but I will continue with the series since I am interested in knowing more about Rev.
Profile Image for Aisling Zena.
635 reviews497 followers
June 8, 2015
3.5 stars

I just can't make up my mind about this book. Some parts I liked, others confused me and some I just didn't like. For some reason I can't work out even though I enjoyed the writing I couldn't connect to any of the characters. Even little Willow! Maybe I'm heartless?

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There's strong violence from the beginning and throughout the book. If you find that disturbing don't pick this up. I generally don't mind violence when it's justified within the plot of the book but this felt like too much as some point.I didn't really like Deacon through most of the book. He was a shit dad, a selfish prick and the only time I warmed up to him was during a brief dirty talking scene. He did improve slowly through the book but I just didn't get him.

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Now Alexandra on the other hand didn't annoy me! Yes, shocker, I know! Even though I find her taste questionable, since she fell for Deacon, she wasn't the typical imbecilic idiot running around like a headless chicken. She had a level of a maturness, tragic occurrences in her past and a soft heart that melted for Willow. For me the downside of Alex was her "I can change him" attitude, trying to make him a better parent and person. Some could say that the risk she took at the end was stupid but I enjoyed that turn of events.

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Now Willow, the 5yr that should have touched my miserable mood and cold attitude. She sort of did at her first appearance. It went downhill after that. I thought the Willow angle could have been explored a bit better. Also I know kids are resilient but this one bounced back awfully quick, in my opinion anyway.

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the book, and the setting and I will read the next one, just for me I think it could have been amazing if not for all the things that kept me unattached. Who knows maybe you'll be moved by it.
Profile Image for Jenn.
1,031 reviews252 followers
June 11, 2015
I felt like Vicious Cycle was trying too hard to be a gritty, tough, shocking, biker story. Sadly, it didn't work for me. In the end I only felt like I read a story about a self-serving, craptastitc father, A-hole named Deacon.

As far as his love interest, Alexandra, goes... I felt like she never stayed true to her character. She changes as the story goes and I did NOT like how she goes about that 180 change. I really had a hard time with her secret as well. It was awful what she did.

Willow- she's Deacon's daughter. I had a bit of a tough time with her too. I liked her to some degree but I didn't find her to be that sweet little girl I had hoped for. Her story was sad and I did feel for her in that regard. However, she didn't read across the pages as a 5-year-old. I think also how Deacon treats her and how she is with him, just didn't sit right with me.

As far as Deacon goes- I never liked him one bit. He was an A-hole the whole book and he really was a selfish bastard the whole way through. If he did have any thoughts to someones well being, it was mostly for Alexandra and not that much for Willow as it should have been. He kept himself emotionally detached from Willow the whole book. He did have one or two moments where he showed feelings for Willow but then that was that. Deacon was emotionally stunted and needed to grow up.

There were plenty of roll your eye moments as well.

The only things I liked about this book:
1. Archer
2. Reverend - I really wish that Alex had gone for him.
3. The present Deacon gives to Alex and the one he makes for Willow.
4. Bishop- 75% of the time.
5. The FEW SELECT times Deacon showed he had a real heart.

I really didn't like:
1. The games Alex had to play to make Deacon see the light.
2. The 360 full circle connection/twist
3. Deacon's scare tactic at the beginning was disgusting -even though it wouldn't come to light, just to say it or think it was horrible and wrong on so many levels.
4. What Archer had to do with Alex- he should have said HELL TO THE NO. He was a good guy who didn't deserve to be in that situation.
Profile Image for ★MC's Corner★.
965 reviews47 followers
June 16, 2015
description

A Biker Book from Katie Ashley!!! I am so excited!!!

with a HAWT guy on cover!
December 17, 2015


3.5 stars

I'm going to be real honest here.. I was disappointed! Why? I felt as though I read the story before at least several times.

When I originally read the blurb, I pre-ordered so dang on fast and then yesterday I had some extra time thinking I will devour it, well not.
What I thought I was going to get was a hot biker daddy finding about his 5 year old baby girl that will turn him into mush.. What I got?
A cold hearted asshole who only cared about himself and a piece of tale!

When Deacon (David) finds about his 5 year old daughter Willow, his spitting image he doesn't embrace..he is ready to put her into a foster home! Then once his family talks him into keeping her - he is so cold toward her.. it broke my heart for her.. Not once did he call her baby or sweetheart or even by her name, she was "brat", "rugrat" or his all time favorite "the kid". However when he set his eyes on Willow's teacher now sheeeee however became baby, babe, and all those things. When she was healing he was spoon feeding her, but couldn't be bothered to read his daughter a night time story until he was practically made to do so!

To me? He was filth! Cold-hearted I have not disliked a character this much in a very long time, he didn't deserve a daughter, he didn't deserve whatever he called love, and if Alex was stupid to spread her legs for someone that is so cold hearted towards his own child, good luck bish when you start poppin them out!

I just I don't know why I am so upset about it, but this poor 5 year old girl that has never really been loved by her mother only has known abuse comes to live with her daddy and instead of feeling loved by him, he is so cold towards her and he was constantly choosing the teacher over her it seemed.. I mean her uncles showed her more affection and I could understand it if that's the type he was but once he started dotting on the teacher, I got disgusted with him real quick!!!

So by the end of the book I didn't like Deacon nor Alex. And you're probably wondering why Alex, she was sweet? Well how sweet can she really be if she sticks with someone as cold as his ass? Again, only opinion! =)



October 8, 2015

Reread this so that #2 would come easy. I remember really liking this after I read it. I must have been in a cloud nine moment haha because Alex annoyed the crap out of me this time around.

Hang on! I still enjoyed the book, really liked Deacon and the grittiness of the story but Alex did pull crazy temper tantrums. Geez Louise someone get her a lollipop.

Other than Akex the Brat I was good with it all. So I'm dropping a star and moving on to book 2. That ending has me already wanting to cuddle up to Rev and make it all better.


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Holy wow I liked this book. I'm a bit shocked, I went into this thinking it was going to be similar to other MC stories and when it started I was a bit apprehensive. I really enjoyed it! I can't wait for Rev's story.
Profile Image for Amy | Foxy Blogs.
1,574 reviews1,028 followers
July 3, 2022
2.5 stars

SAY WHAT?!!! If you do this in a movie I'M OUT. I'll burn the DVD so I don't ever have to watch it again. This book did the one thing that will make me rage in a movie - .

Beyond what I mentioned above these characters didn't hold up. They did 180 which made the story feel less authentic. It started out good but then this kind teacher, Alexandra, became totally out of character by going over the top to make Deacon jealous, among other things.

VICIOUS CYCLE
● Alexandra & Deacon
● teacher / sergeant at arms
● Hell’s Raiders mc
● single dad
● Willow: Deacon’s daughter
● dual pov
● standalone
Audiobook source: Libby
Narrator: Vanessa Edwin, Jay Crow & Jameson Adams
Length: 9H 54 M
Profile Image for Annie .
2,463 reviews946 followers
May 21, 2015
In the first in a brand new series by Katie Ashley, VICIOUS CYCLE does not play around with its jaunt into the dangerous motorcycle world. Following Deacon Malloy, the sergeant at arms of the Hell’s Raiders motorcycle club, readers are thrust into the gritty, violent world of a brotherhood based on sin.

After reading several other books of Ashley’s, I was interested to see her take on the motorcycle craze that has been sweeping over the reading community. However I found that although the writing remains well done, that the events covered in this book were just in despicable. The hero, Deacon, cannot really been seen as an honorable man in the beginning. When a daughter he didn’t know existed lands in front of the clubhouse’s steps, he doesn’t know what to do with little Willow. Right off the bat, he wants to put her up for adoption, knowing that the life he lives is no place for a little innocent girl. However, Ashley doesn’t paint her characters in very good light in this series. Everyone has flaws and they are glaringly obvious in every scene. That being said, I found Deacon hard to like, especially when parts of his job as a sergeant at arms makes him a bad man. Even though Ashley tried to redeem him somewhat, I just don’t like that much violence from any hero I read.

VICIOUS CYCLE is certainly not for the faint of heart. If you feel strongly against violence against women and children then some of the scenes in this book will offend you. The majority of the book is filled with violence and I felt that it was there mainly for shock value as opposed to something more related to plot. As a result, I never really connected with the club or the characters except for Willow. Fans of Susan Fanetti will enjoy this darker portrayal of biker gangs but I will warn you that it is not for everyone.
Profile Image for Bj.
1,217 reviews262 followers
October 22, 2015
*I gave this audiobook a B+ for both the story and narration at AudioGals*

Narrated by Vanessa Edwin and Jay Crow (with Jameson Adams in Epilogue)

While Katie Ashley is pretty well known in the contemporary romance world, Vicious Cycle is Ms. Ashley’s first foray into MC Romance. Being a big MC Romance fan, I decided to give the first book in the Vicious Cycle series a chance, and I have to say that overall I was quite pleased with the result. Although not as gritty or overly erotic or dark as the more typical MC romances, Vicious Cycle still bore enough grit and a semblance to the typical outlaw biker world to come off as convincing, while at the same time combining compelling characters and an opposites attract romance trope to entertain the more mainstream romance fans.

See the full review at AudioGals.
Profile Image for Marie Andersson.
Author 13 books115 followers
June 5, 2015
4.5 stars!

Good biker story but I had some issues.Some of the things Alexandra did was stupid and she was a bit crazy.I want to read the next book in this series.Rev's story.
Profile Image for Literati Literature Lovers.
1,967 reviews149 followers
June 11, 2015
http://www.buzzfeed.com/literatiautho...

Vicious Cycle has been one of my most highly anticipated books this year. I have been dying to get my hands on it since the first whisper that Katie Ashley would be writing an MC series. And she does not disappoint! Whether she is writing wealthy businessmen, hot rockers, and now bikers, Ms.Ashley knows how to make the reader fall for her sexy hero and root for the couple to get their happy ever after.

The world of MC Romance is gritty, raw and dark. Katie Ashley manages to capture the romance and keep the reader focused on the love story rather than club business. Don't get me wrong, Ms. Ashley paints a provocative tale of illegal activity, danger and rivalry. But the heart of Vicious Cycle is the growing relationship between Deacon and Alexandra when their world's collide with an unexpected blast from his past that brings them together.

"Angels...beautiful angels with dark hair are coming for you. They are your only salvation." ~ Preacher Man

David 'Deacon' Malloy is a walking, talking sin. Dangerous, lethal, sexy as hell, he is trouble personified. But there's something good and sweet about him. As he learns his way with Willow, one can't help but fall hard for him. As does Alexandra Evans, Willow's teacher. It doesn't start that way, though the chemistry can't be denied, in fact the tension is palpable, however, both appear to be blind to it or simply in denial. The world of MC clubs is foreign to Alexandra and if not for Willow, she'd never have gotten involved. But, there's something about Deacon that pulls at her, too.

The push / pull adds to the intensity of the story. Katie Ashley uses dual POV to let the reader get inside her characters' heads. I love this type of writing because it really allows the reader to understand the characters and their motivation. It helps us see the reasons they do what they do, why they make the choices they make. And Katie Ashley does a wonderful job developing the characters through this style of writing.

Vicious Cycle is fast paced and kept me engaged from cover to cover. There were twists and unexpected turns that had me holding my breath. Yet, beyond the action, drama and violence, the beauty of this story is the romance between Deacon and Alex and the love of family. It's a story of two unlikely people coming together and complementing each other. It's swoon worthy for sure. Did I mention that Deacon is HOT?! Panty melter!!

"I would die a thousand deaths just to see you like this. Just to have another chance to bury my c**k deep inside you." ~ Deacon

The secondary characters add so much to the story. Deacon's brothers, mother and fellow club members add humor and depth. I loved Rev and Bishop! In fact I can't wait for Rev's story!! This is the beginning of what's sure to be an amazing series by author Katie Ashley. If you like a good romance and enjoy the MC genre,  you'll love Ms. Ashley's take on it.  I did.



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Readers of Joanne Wylde Reaper's Property will LOVE Vicious Cycle by Katie Ashley. Fast paced, action packed, and sexy-as-hell fire. This is one roller coaster of a ride, and I can't wait to see what Ashley has up her sleeve next for the Raiders of Vicious Cycle.

Profile Image for Sandy ღCoffee Addict Booksღ.
229 reviews256 followers
Want to read
June 4, 2015
I love Katie's writing and this sounds different from her usual books, so I go to amazon just before I buy it, I happened to see it's price-11.99$!!!! and that's only for Kindle edition???!!!

Nope! not gonna happen.
I'll wait for the price to drop,

Meanwhile I one-clicked plenty other books;) #notsorry :p
Profile Image for Denise Lancaster.
307 reviews85 followers
July 26, 2018
Juro que me duele en el ALMA darle esta clasificación a un libro de Katie Ashley, pero tengo que ser honesta. Este libro no me gustó. No estuvo bueno. No sé qué pasó. Hasta ahora todos los libros que he leído de ésta autora me han encantado. No gustado. Encantado. Sin embargo, con éste libro no me pasó eso. Es cierto que los libros de ésta autora que he leído, los leí hace años. No sé si tal vez mi gusto ha cambiado a lo largo de los años, y hay cosas que antes me gustaban y encontraba aceptables que ahora ya no. O tal vez simplemente es ÉSTE libro el que no resultó para mí.

Hay muchas cosas que no me gustaron o que me tuvieron rodando los ojos por lo cursi o poco creíble. Pienso que no voy a poder decirlas todas en ésta reseña, sino esto sería infinito. Me voy a explayar en las que recuerde o tal vez más me molestaron.

Ni bien empieza el libro, tanto la premisa como la narrativa en sí, son geniales. Una está super enganchada pensando e imaginando que puede llegar a pasar. Deacon, el protagonista, es un motociclista que en teoría, o al menos lo parece en el comienzo, tiene las características esperables de un motociclista, dígase, ser un outlaw y manejar asuntos turbios de su club. Pues, dejenme decirles, que esto no es tan cierto. A medida que el libro progresa vamos viendo que lo que él dice que es, no se condice con como actúa o con lo pollerudo que es para con Alex, la protagonista. Hubo miles de cosas que no me gustaron de su personalidad. Desde el principio se lo ve tratando a la chica con la que se acuesta, Cheyenne, como si ella fuera menos o valiera menos sólo porque tenían una relación basada en el sexo, y porque ella se había acostado con todos los motociclistas del club. De hecho en una de las primeras escenas cuando están por tener sexo, él dice que le gustaba Cheyenne porque se preocupaba primero por satisfacerlo a él y él no tenía que garantizarle un orgasmo. POR DIOS. Katie Ashley en serio piensa que esto es algo agradable de leer? En serio se piensa que alguien va a enamorarse de un personaje o que siquiera le va a gustar, si está diciendo abiertamente que en el sexo es un EGOÍSTA que solo le importa su propio placer? Porque juro que yo no encuentro nada más deserotizante que esto. Ni hablar de estar continuamente tratando a Cheyenne como si por ser "puta" fuera menos o valiera menos. Esto se lo atribuyo a la autora, porque ella hace que sus personajes piensen así. A ver, CUÁL ES EL PROBLEMA CON QUE LA MINA SEA PUTA? Y SI ES PUTA, QUÉ? Por qué el tipo se puede acostar con quien quiera y él no pierde su atractivo, y sin embargo si la mujer hace LO MISMO, ella pasa a ser una puta sucia que no vale nada? ME TIENEN HARTA. HARTA ESTOY con esa doble moral. Por dios. Esos dobles estándares NO TE LOS ROBO, AMIGA.

La protagonista, Alex, al principio parecía un personaje bastante agradable. La mina era la maestra de la hija de Deacon y parecía una mina inteligente y copada. Bueno, saben qué? PUES NO. No lo es. Y es en el momento en el que el libro literalmente empieza a irse a la mierda, cuando la protagonista muestra una personalidad horrenda. Paso a explayarme al respecto...

Masomenos hacia la mitad del libro, la historia venía genial. Todo se venía desarrollando re bien. Un slow-burn super piola entre los protagonistas. Luego, cuando Alex es atacada en su casa por un motociclista rival del club de Deacon,AHÍ, ese es el momento, en el que tanto la historia, como la relación de los personajes, como la coherencia misma, se subieron arriba de una tortuga, y se fueron a la concha de la lora.

DE LA NADA, gente, DE LA NADA, la relación pasa de ser una relación de dos personas conociéndose a una relación de PAREJA. Alexandra es INSOPORTABLE. No para de decirle a Deacon que lo necesita, y que lo quiere, y que lo necesita, y que bla bla bla. A ver, FLACA, podes parar un poco? Podes ser una mujer independiente y audaz, como en teoría sos, y dejar de depender de un hombre sólo porque estas caliente con el flaco y querés que te re garche? O sea, yo ENTIENDO la calentura. Entiendo que se tuvieran TOOOODAS LAS GANAS, y se quisieran lamer enteros el uno al otro. Pero eso de flashear AMOR y RELACIÓN de la nada, sólo porque ocurrió un hecho trágico, que SÍ, A VER, ES TREMENDO SER ATACADA ASÍ, pero cómo eso cambia la dinámica de una relación, o por qué lo hace, o por qué cambia las personalidades de los protagonistas de repente?

Para colmo, el motociclista éste rival LE MATÓ EL PERRO A ALEX, y a ella ni le importó. Onda yo estaría masomenos al borde del suicidio. Y encima después de ese hecho, que OBVIO que fue por culpa de Deacon, porque a ella la atacaron por su relación con él, a ella NI LE IMPORTÓ y siguió incluso más pegote con Deacon. Yo sabes cómo me voy a la MIERDA?

Como ya mencioné anteriormente, a partir de ese hecho, toda la historia se va a la mierda. La relación de ellos dos se desarrolla a pasos agigantados. Literalmente llevaban saliendo 2 MESES y ya estaban viviendo juntos. Ni hablar de que Alexandra es HIPER insegura. HIPER. Le dice a Deacon que no quiere ni que mire ni que toque a otras mujeres porque ahora él estaba con ella. Él le dice que sólo le interesa estar con ella, que no se tiene que preocupar, y ella le dice que no sólo estaba preocupada por él, sino POR LAS DEMÁS MUJERES, PUES ALGUNAS PUEDEN SER MUY PERSUASIVAS refiriéndose a Cheyenne. Ayyyy QUÉ BRONCA. Me broto, les juro. Me da ganas de romper todo. Qué es esa estupidez de culpar a las demás mujeres si tu hombre te es infiel? Qué es esa estupidez de pensar que las otras mujeres van a estar TODO EL TIEMPO intentandote sacar a tu novio? Tan celosa insegura vas a ser? Tan machista vas a ser de estar pensando que las otras mujeres son unas putas y entonces van a estar acechando a tu pobre hombre que si te engaña es porque fue PERSUADIDO? AY por favor. Estas cosas me sacan. Alex es igual de machista que Deacon. Y esto refleja la manera de pensar de Katie Ashley. Pensar que porque una mujer simplemente vive su sexualidad libremente, es una puta que no vale nada. Y yo digo, si fuera así, si fuera una puta, CUÁL HAY? CUÁL ES EL PROBLEMA? En reiteradas ocasiones Alex menciona que ella no es una puta, como las otras. Como si ser puta fuera ser una lacra asesina de niños y cachorros. BREAKING NEWS PEOPLE, la forma en la que cada persona vive su sexualidad no los hace mejor o peor persona. HARTA ME TIENEN.

Bueno, siento que dije que no iba a escribir mucho pero me estoy escribiendo LA VIDA. Hay un par de cositas más que no puedo dejar de mencionar, intentaré hacerlo corto. Deacon tenía una hija. Willow. Deacon es un PÉSIMO padre. No le interesa pasar tiempo con ella, o conocerla (la conoció recién cuando la nena tenía 5 años y tuvo que hacerse cargo de ella). No le interesa jugar con ella, o establecer un vínculo. Su hermano, Rev, tiene una relación mucho más genuina y paternal con Willow que él. Constantemente está haciendo comentarios diciendo que preferiría estar haciendo otra cosa en vez de, por ejemplo, leerle un cuento antes de irse a dormir a la hija. Alex tiene que estar todo el tiempo convenciéndolo para que pase tiempo con la hija, o para que la trate amorosamente. Lo peor de todo es que cuando Alex y Deacon hablan de que quieren tener un hijo (sí, después de 2 meses de relación), dicen comentarios HORRENDOS que Katie Ashley pretende que sean tiernos pero que a mí me causó solamente rechazo. Deacon diciendo que quería tener un hijo con ella, y que ella sea la madre de sus hijos, y Alex diciendo que si bien quería a Willow le gustaría tener un hijo que sea una parte de él y de ella. SON UN ASCO DE PERSONAS, GENTE. Tienen una nena de 5 años que necesita unos padres que la amen y le den amor, y ustedes se ponen a hablar de tener un hijo biológico, porque claro, un hijo biológico vale mucho más que un hijo adoptivo. VAYÁNSE A LA MIERDA.
Y lo peor de todo saben qué es? Que Deacon mismo es adoptado. Teniendo eso en cuenta es incluso peor lo que dice y esta postura biologicista que comparte con Alex.

Otra cosa de mierda que ocurrió, fue que Alex le contó a Deacon que había tenido un aborto a los 17 años, y la autora hizo que la protagonista lo contara como si fuera una asesina que mató a su bebé. Que asco. Que asco dar ese mensaje horrendo. Abortar un embrión en las primeras semanas de vida no es matar ningún bebé, gente. No se dejen confundir. Se está decidiendo sobre el propio cuerpo de una, nadie está asesinando a nadie. Que asco que la autora haya decidido retratar ese hecho de esa manera.

Finalmente, no puedo dejar de decir que si éste libro pretendía ser un libro del sub-género MC, no lo logró. A ver, elegí leer este libro porque tenía ganas de leer una novela sobre la temática, y porque como dije antes, siempre me ha gustado todo lo escrito por Katie Ashley. Pero éste libro no retrató de forma fidedigna como es un club de motociclistas. Se supone que los bikers son outlaws. Se supone que viven al margen de la ley. Se supone que tienen cierto estilo de viva. Se supone que tienen una hermandad. Que tienen clara cual es la manera de manejarse. Siempre que he leído libros sobre la temática, algo es claro. Los brothers manejan los temas del club. Se respeta y protege a las old ladies, pero las old ladies no manejan temas del club. Un miembro del club no le miente ni le oculta cosas a sus hermanos, y muchísimo menos hace planes con una old lady a las espaldas de sus hermanos. ESTO ÚLTIMO OCURRE EN ESTA NOVELA. Y no parece realista, y tampoco me agrada leerlo porque no sólo no era creíble, sino cursi.

Tampoco me agradó la relación de Alex y Deacon. Ella era super demandante e insegura. Y él bastante violento, y pollerudo. No me podría imaginar nunca a un biker siendo así. Hay una diferencia entre tener una relación de amor y ternura con su old lady, y entre ser lisa y llanamente un bobo.

Realmente pienso que en la vida real estas dos personas no durarían juntas ni dos meses, y que además su relación es tóxica, pero bueno, en éste libro no sólo a los 6 meses se casaron sino que la mina ya está embarazada.

Tampoco me gustó que cuando están por tener sexo por primera vez, Deacon le dice a Alex -cachate ésta- que LA AMA. O sea justo antes de que le está por meter la pija y están re calientes el tipo le dice eso. A ver, flaco. NO ES EL MOMENTO. Si le quiere decir a la mina que la ama por primera vez que se lo diga en cualquier otra situación, NO EN ESE MOMENTO en el que uno es capaz de decir que ama hasta al buda, a Thor y a todos los santos católicos.

También odié que Deacon se puso pesado con que quería tener sexo anal con Alex y ella le entregó el orto así de una. O sea, what. Para colmo el tipo decía que garchandola por el culo, la marcaba (?????) Y para colmo Katie Ashley narró esa escena de sexo anal como si Alex super disfrutara que Deacon le metiera y sacara la pija del orto. Pero por favor. Eso es doloroso y muchísimo más si se hace de esa forma. Con casi nula estimulación y encima ENTRANDO Y SACANDO LA PIJA DEL AGUJERO DEL ANO UNA Y OTRA VEZ.

Me resultaron agradables los dos hermanos adoptivos de Deacon, Rev y Bishop. Sobre todo Rev. Es un personaje sobre el que me gustaría leer, pero la verdad pienso que el libro siguiente que es sobre él, va a ser del mismo estilo que éste, y no me da ganas de leerlo.

Qué difícil es encontrar buenos libros sobre club de motociclistas, che. Mi serie favorita sobre éste subgénero es la serie de Los Reapers de Joanna Wylde. AMO su forma de escribir. Soy muy fan de esa serie. Pero lamentablemente la autora no está publicando más libros de esa serie. He leído y releído varias veces libros como Reaper's Fall o Devil's Game. Son libros que cuentan historias sobre club de motociclistas, motociclistas y protagonistas que me gusta leer. He intentando leer otros libros de ésta temática pero ninguno me satisface. He leído Own the Wind de Kristen Ashley y me pareció un poco light. También he intentado leer It Ain't Me, Babe de Tillie Cole, pero me pareció demasiado machista y misógino. He leído Souls Unfractured de ésta misma autora, y si bien ése me ha gustado, no siento deseos de leer los otros libros de la serie. También leí Dragon's Lair de Chantal Fernando y si bien me pareció super light y bastante cursi, fue un libro que disfruté. Pero cuando intenté leer el siguiente libro de la serie no pude ni terminarlo por lo poco que me gustó lo que estaba leyendo. Fue por ésto que le di una oportunidad a éste libro. Pero bueno, no fue lo que esperaba lamentablemente. Si tienen algún libro sobre ésta temática para recomendarme, siéntanse libres de hacerlo.

Algo que me gusta de los libros de Joanna Wylde sobre los Reapers MC es que las protagonistas mujeres siempre demuestran lo audaces y badass que son COMPLEMENTÁNDOSE con el hombre, con su pareja, con el biker. Y eso es HERMOSO. Joanna lejos de mostrar protagonistas débiles o dependientes del hombre, nos muestra mujeres fuertes que confían en sus hombres y que están A LA PAR.

En éste libro, Katie Ashley, intentó mostrarnos a una protagonista fuerte desde una forma que a MÍ no me gusta, y que no comparto, y que no parece realista para el tipo de historia que pretendía contar. Es decir, mostraba a Alex tomando asuntos pesados en sus propias manos, y ocultándole cosas e información a Deacon.

Bueno, gente, me escribí LA VIDA. Necesitaba decirlo todo. Bueno creo que no me olvidé de nada (?) Le puse este puntaje porque como dije, la primer parte del libro me gustó y me entretuvo, pero como conté más arriba hacia la mitad el libro se fue a la CHOTA. Además, me agradó mucho Rev.
Profile Image for Kate.
2,145 reviews336 followers
February 8, 2017
So lately I have been starting books and not getting into them if I’m under the 10% then they do not count as a DNF. This book although it was slightly clichéd got me out of my book funk. I couldn’t stop reading and I actually sneaked in reading some pages or maybe chapters at work. Yes, I know very naughty.

Please note that if you are offended by violence, attempted rape this is not the book for you.



 photo Vicious Cycle_zpss28fgpn9.jpg


So you have a biker + a daughter he knew he never had + a school teacher and an instant hit for the likes of me. This is also the first time that I have read something by this author and color me surprised. The beginning was absolutely heartbreaking with Willow. I had tears in my eyes. 4 Jesse James and White Bread Stars.

Deacon Malloy lives and breathes the club. Yada yada yada yada ya. You know the drill. That is until he finds out that he has a kid and he doesn’t take the news that well. With his two brothers Bishop and Reverend who will also get books and his Mama Beth he tries and figures it out.

We see Deacon with one of the clubs “sweet butts” which has been going on for a year but after he meets the heroine there is no more of that.
Alexandra Evans lost her parents at the age of 17. To honor her parents she went into the profession of becoming a teacher. Alex teaches Kindergarten and that is where she meets Willow. Willow won’t speak to anyone but she does to Alex. Alex is Willow’s Mummy Angel. I wish that Ms. Ashley would have let Willow come to terms with what she saw and talked about it to Alex or Deacon.

Alex and Deacon’s first encounter was amusing to say the least. They have a lot of differences but a lot of things that combined them together.

I always love when the author incorporates literature or songs that have a meaning in this case it was a poem by Robert Frost that was mentioned and I just had to look it up.

The Road Not Taken.

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.


Life is full of choices and Alex makes hers fully aware of the consequences but knowing why she is doing it. Deacon is a bit of dick but it comes with the territory.

This book is extremely well written although a letter here and there was missing occasionally. The story was in some parts predictable but not in others. The scenes between the two main MCs was solid with some banter but I also did feel that I got whiplash. They were sweet and then suddenly they weren’t. Huh, what did I miss?

Getting back to the steamy scenes this is the one thing that I thought that was completely over the top.

He was Lazarus rising-rising over me as our bodies hastily joined in raw communion. Now I’m not really religious that that was a ,ah really moment.

I just have to say that I can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Emily.
5,317 reviews509 followers
June 13, 2016
Deacon Malloy only loved a woman once, but she walked away and he has never given another woman a chance to get that close again. Deacon has kept his women to the sweetbutts at the Hell's Raiders MC and has no plans to change anything ever. When Deacon suddenly finds himself a father to a five year old girl he is left conflicted, he doesn't want to care about anyone let alone a little child. As Deacon learns to be a parent with the help of his club a threat comes in targeting his daughter and brings her teacher Alexandra Evans into his life.

Alex is worried about her favorite student Willow, she knows that she recently lost her mother and has been having difficulties adjusting to her new life. Alex heads the the club to see her father, she had not expected Deacon to be so frank and willing to let her come and teach his daughter off sight. As they become a friends of sorts both realize they have something special they are building. However the outside threat is drawing near and could tear them apart.

Addictive and unique. I loved this one, Alex and Deacon don't have an instalove in fact they take their time to before they have any intimate relationship. Refreshingly new for a MC series and both characters are strong willed. Can't wait to read about the other bikers in future books.
Profile Image for Lu Bielefeld .
4,206 reviews516 followers
May 21, 2017
ok
==>Biker dude + child with another woman + Club whore + uptight teacher + tragedy in the past + rival Club enemy<==
more of the same

--------------------------------------
Highlight
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sweet butts—aka the ladies who willingly spread their legs for club members.
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I’d been fucking Cheyenne almost exclusively for the last year. Occasionally, a new piece of ass might turn my head when I was on a run or at a rally. But I liked the fact that Cheyenne knew exactly how to blow my mind as I was blowing my load.
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church—the name for our club meetings.
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“I know, son,” he wheezed. And then he said something on his dying breath that I still longed to understand. “Angels … beautiful angels with dark hair are coming for you. They are your only salvation.”
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"You’re not my type.” I sputtered with indignation at his words. “That’s good to hear since you’re most certainly not my type either.”
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My brothers might have a new piece of ass on their bike every week, but to me it meant too much to give a ride to just any girl. And even being as close physically as I had been with Cheyenne, I never had her ride with me. Now, just because of one fucked-up alternator, I’d broken my rule.
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“Don’t look at me like that,” he growled. “How am I looking at you?” I panted. “Like you want to fuck me.”
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“What do you want from me, Alexandra?” “I want you to fuck me.” Instantly, warmth flooded my cheeks. I’d never been...
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“You’re my angel—my dark-haired angel.” The moment the words came out of my lips, I staggered back.
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“Two dark-haired angels are coming for you. They will be your salvation.”
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“You’re my salvation,” I repeated. “And you’re mine,” Alex answered.
Profile Image for Alex.
577 reviews75 followers
September 1, 2016
⭐️⭐️e mezzo
Per la serie: parto in quinta ed arrivo in retromarcia.
Questo libro da proprio quest'idea, quando inizi a leggere vai veloce come un treno e macini capitoli su capitoli tant'é la curiosità di sapere, poi tutto di colpo ha una battuta d'arresto e ti trovi a sollevare mille volte gli occhi per tutte le boiate che leggi.
Per primo la traduzione dei nomi che ha reso la lettura un po' imbarazzante in certe occasioni. Diacono, vescovo, reverendo e ci mancava solo chierichetto e poi la funzione poteva iniziare!
Lasciare i nomi in inglese Deacon, Reverend, Bishop sarebbero stati di gran lunga meno fastidiosi da leggere al posto di diacono e compagnia bella.
Mi spiego durante le scene hot sentire "dai Diacono non ti fermare ci sono quasi"...Oppure "Diacono ti desidero da morire arg grrr sgrunt arraparunt"
Ma per favore!
Poi leggere come un tizio, il Diacono appunto, tortura fino alla morte un rivale per vendicarsi e poi altrettanto candidamente compra un dolce cucciolo alla sua amata e il tutto mentre strombazzano... Cioè dai qui stiamo scherzando o cosa?!
Non c'è una moralità, senso di giustizia, amore o famiglia.
Tutto è portato all'estremo e condito da sporadici atti di civiltà scambiati per amore totale.
Un padre che è sempre sgarbato, una maestra che strombazza e si struscia sopra un palco di lap dance per far ingelosire il prete o diacono arrapato. Spetta il tutto dopo che la maestrina è stata quasi stuprata da un altro tizio rivale. @___@
Gente sgozzata ma pazienza voglio prenderti da dietro.
Bambine traumatizzate ma caspita ti facciamo fare danza.
Aspetta ti abbiamo distrutto la famiglia per vendetta ok ma adesso ti sposerai e vivrai con la coscienza sporca e le mani insanguinate.
Peccato perché per un terzo del libro, la parte iniziale, avevo sperato in qualcosa di diverso e meno trash. Invece è stato tutto un escalation di trashaggine per culminare con il famoso "ti amo sposami!"
L'unico che salvo è Rev, l'unico sano in mezzo a sto branco di decelebrati!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews840 followers
June 1, 2015
Kitty and Leigh's reviews

KITTY'S Review - 5 stars
Bang ... right in the beginning, Katie Ashley starts this book off with hardcore MC punishment and she doesn't stop throughout the whole story. She draws you in from the first chapter, and just like the Hell's Raiders, holds you hostage until the job is done.

Deacon just grabs you ... a hard man who had a hard life that just wants a hard fuck when he's in the mood for one. No hearts and flowers for him. He tried his hand at his version of hearts and flowers and got burned. But, didn't realize how burned he was until Willow came into his life. Raised by Preacherman and his wife after being found on the streets only to watch him die in his arms, Deacon cannot open his heart to anyone again.
Willow was sweet, saw and knew too much for her age. Withdrawn into her own world, there were only a few people that she would let in. She couldn't tell her secret because they would come for her. But, there was something about Miss Evans that draws her in - she looks just like her angel mommy and she clings to that.

Alexandra has no idea what is in store for her when she agrees to let Willow into her classroom. She's determined that this bright, beautiful little girl will have the attention and education that she so deserves. But, at what cost to her? She lost her parents and was raised in a loving home by her Aunt and Uncle, she knows there is a seedier side of life but has no idea that she is about to witness it first hand.

Together, Alexandra and Deacon work to give Willow everything that she needs ... an education, a pink tutu, love. With the help of his brothers and a mother that he truly loves, Deacon finally lets Willow in and, in doing so, slowly falls for the one woman who isn't afraid to tell him like it is, doesn't take anything from him and shows him that there is more to life than the Hell's Raiders.

Katie Ashley wrote a dark story that had a small shimmer of a light shining from within. She didn't stop writing this story until that small flicker of a flame shone through and engulfed everyone. She gave us a strong woman who knew what she had to do to protect those that she loved and a man willing to die to protect those that he loved. Together, they were a force of nature ... apart, they were two broken people.

There was no down time in Vicious Cycle. The story fluidly moved along. It was filled with violence, laughter and then finally love. You would never think that the words "violence" and "laughter" could be in the same sentence describing a story line but, it is. It all fit together and it's what Katie Ashley does best ... takes the bad situation and shows us the light within and brings it to the forefront. Willow was the bright spot throughout this book. She brought out the best in Deacon, taught Alexandra how to trust love again and was the glue that held it all together. I am so looking forward to see where she is going to bring the rest of the brothers and what woman is going to show them what their future can hold for them.

LEIGH's Review - 4 stars

Vicious Cycle is my first Katie Ashley book, but it won’t be my last. I was quickly drawn in by the story and held captive by Deacon and his Hell’s Raider’s brothers. I love a good MC romance, and Vicious Cycle fit the bill, with the added twist of a heroine who was from outside the MC life.

In most MC stories I have read, the heroine has grown up in the club life. Yet here, we have a woman who is a civilian. In fact, as a kindergarten teacher, Alex is as un-“old lady” material as you can get. But opposites attract, and she and Deacon are truly a perfect match for one another. Deacon brings out the bold side of Alex and she brings out the gentleness and need for love in Deacon.

Other than the hot, oversexed MC brothers, what I really liked about this book was the honesty. When Deacon found out he had a daughter, he wasn’t instantly the perfect father. He didn’t know what to do with Willow, and the bond between them wasn’t immediate. He didn’t suddenly give up his late nights to tuck her in and read to her. Instead, he floundered and was human, and in a way, I liked that. He was a big, bad biker to the outside world, but at the heart of it, he was just human and it was easy to see how Alex fell in love with the man who was trying to be what she and Willow needed.

One of the other things I found interesting about this book was that it wasn’t as gritty as most of the MC series I have read. Yes, the language was crude, yes, the sex was hot, but it was missing an element that made it feel truly raunchy. Not that there is anything wrong with a little raunch now and then!! But when trying to introduce in a heroine that is totally foreign to the world of the outlaws, I liked that Deacon and the Hell’s Raiders seemed to be a little less dirty than some other clubs. It made it more believable that a kindergarten teacher could integrate herself into Deacon’s world.

While at times I did feel as if I was reading a primer on motorcycle clubs as everything was carefully explained rather than letting the reader take their cues from the context, I immensely enjoyed the world of these one-percenters.
I’m a sucker for stories ending wrapped up in a nice neat little bow with an epilogue, and Katie Ashley didn’t disappoint on this one. Better yet, she went one step further by setting the stage for Deacon’s brother, Rev, to have his story told next. As one of my favorite characters in the story, I can’t wait to see what happens with Rev and will be eagerly waiting for the next installment.

Review copy provided for an honest review.
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3,749 reviews481 followers
June 7, 2015
An explosive beginning sets the tone for this fast-paced, emotion-packed whirlwind of a story.

Willow Malloy is a child but what she’s experienced in her young life is appalling. She grabbed me from the first sentence and didn’t let go throughout this riveting page turner. Deacon hadn’t known he was father to Willow and his life in the MC hadn’t prepared him for that role in the slightest. Alexandra Evans, as a teacher, on the other hand is a perfect role model for children so having Willow cling to her wasn’t unexpected.

What was a surprise were Deacon’s feelings for Alex. He knew their worlds shouldn’t mesh but as circumstances have them crossing paths constantly, the attraction they both feel is such that they can’t deny it. Violence erupts that affects everyone and while “love conquers all”, when did love meet the enemies of the MC?

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I have become an instant fan. From the first pages, this story struck a chord right in my heart and never let go. This is a love story, for sure, as the strong emotions that Deacon and Alex feel for each other seem to echo from the pages. But it’s also about family and the ties that bind.

This is no fairy tale and the dangers of the lifestyle Deacon and his family lead are not glossed over. There is no shirking from the violence that exists and from the beginning the author doesn’t shy away from the gritty details. While I admit to reading through my fingers at a few spots, all scenes are well-written and put you right into the heart of the action. There is a lot of love within the MC community and I, for one, would love to have them in my corner. Thank goodness there are more single Malloy brothers! ~ Diane, 5 heart-pounding stars!

~~~

When I read the blurb for Vicious Cycle, I knew I had to read it. I love biker books and this one sounded like it would be a good one. I've read books by Katie Ashley before and loved them so I believed that this would be no different. And I was right. I did love Vicious Cycle. This was her first biker book, and she doesn't disappoint.

Deacon Malloy is a tough biker with no responsibilities, besides his club. That is, until his five year old daughter named Willow, who he didn't know about, shows up at his club. This throws him for a loop. He doesn't believe he can be a good father, though when it came down to it, he does anything he can to keep her safe. That includes keeping her home from school.

When Alexandria Evans notices that Willow is no longer coming to school, she decides that it's on her to find out what is going on. She shows up at the club and meets Willow’s father. Together, they come to the conclusion that to keep Willow safe, she will tutor her after school. It seems like a win-win situation. But will Deacon and Alex be able to stay away from each other?

When I started reading, Deacon definitely wasn't my favorite character. He could be rude and didn't have the best personality. But, over time, he started to act more like a loving father, not just someone stuck with a kid. So, after awhile, I started to like his character a lot more because he was changing into a better man and wasn't just a mean biker. Once he began to realize how he felt for Alex, things really started to get good.

"For her I wanted to be a better man, a better father, a better brother, and hell, a better human being."

Alex is a very likable character. She’s a loving person, and she cared for Willow long before she and Deacon had something going on. Neither Alex nor Deacon has the best past but that made them stronger as people. Some danger was always lurking from a rival club but that only makes Deacon more protective of both his girls; he does his best to keep them safe.

This book definitely wasn't a walk in the park, but biker books never are. There is some violence and bad things that happen, but that only makes the book more interesting. All in all, I really enjoyed this book. The ending was great and set it up for the next book in the series. I can't wait to read Rev's story. ~ Leah, 5 stars

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261 reviews439 followers
Want to read
January 23, 2014
YAY!! A NEW BOOK BY KATIE ASHLEY!!! :D

Blurb:


David aka ‘Deacon’ Malloy has devoted his adult life to the Hell’s Raiders motorcycle club. Plucked off the streets as a teenager for his fighting ability, he willing embraces the violent life-style of his new family. After his adoptive father’s murder during the last club war, he slid into the vacated role of Sergeant at Arms. His world is thrown for a loop when a former club whore dies, and the five year old daughter he had no idea he had fathered is deposited on the club steps.

Alexandra Evans followed in her parents’ footsteps by going into education. As a Kindergarten teacher, she loves helping her young students learn to read and write. At the start of the school year, one little girl stands out to her above all the rest. With an aura of sadness about her, Willow Malloy is someone who needs all the tender loving care Alexandra can give. When she suddenly stops coming to school, Alexandra goes in search of her. What she finds is a clubhouse full of bikers, and a father hell bent on keeping his daughter always within his sight during a turf war.

The moment Deacon lays eyes on Alexandra he knows he has to have her. He doesn’t give two shits about the fact she’s a naïve civilian or that she has no desire to become another one of his conquests. He’s never found a woman he couldn’t have, and he wants nothing more to persuade Alexandra into changing her mind.

Will Deacon seduce Alexandra into his dark world, or will she help him embrace a brighter future for himself and his daughter?
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